Hair spray containing a tetrapolymer comprising n-t-butyl acrylamide or -n-isopropyl acrylamide

ABSTRACT

An aerosol spray containing a tetrapolymer of (A) N-t-butyl acrylamide or N-isopropyl acrylamide, (B) acrylamide or methacrylamide, (C) N-vinyl pyrrolidone and (D) acrylic or methacrylic acid, is disclosed.

United States Patent Palmer [4 1 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] HAIR SPRAY CONTAINING A [56] References Cited if N T UNITED STATES PATENTS ISOPROPYL ACRYLAMIDE 3,178,397 4/1965 Olaj et a]. ..260/80.72 3,405,084 10/1968 Bohac et a1 ..260/80.72 X [72] Damn 3,493,500 2/1970 Volk et a1. ..260/80.72 x [73] Assignee: American Cyanamld Company,

Stamford, Conn. Primary Examiner-A1bert T. Meyers Assistant Examinen-Vera C. Clarke May I971 Atl0rney-Frank M. Van Riet [21] App]. No.: 141,441

[57] ABSTRACT Related U.S. Appllcation Data An aerosol spray containlng a tetrapolymer of (A) N- [62] Dlvlslon of Ser. No. 862,044, Sept. 29, 1969, bbuw acrylamide or N isopropyl acrylamide, (B)

acrylamide or methacrylamide, (C) N-vinyl pyrrolidone and (D) acrylic or methacrylic acid, is dis- [52] US. Cl. ..424/47, 260/326 N, 260/334 R, closed 260/338 R, 260/338 UA, 260/803 N, 260/8072, 424/D1G. 1, 424/DIG. 2, 424/71 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61k 7/10 I [58] Field of Search ..260/80.72, 80.3 N, 33.8 R, 5 Claims, No Drawings 260/338 UA; 424/47, 71, DIG. 1., DIG. 2

HAIR SPRAY CONTAINING A TETRAPOLYMER COMPRISING N-T-BUTYL ACRYLAMIDE OR -N- ISOPROPYL ACRYLAMIDE This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 862,044, filed Sept. 29, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,634,368, patented Jan. 11, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of various polymeric ingredients in filmforrning compositions has been widely patented in recent years. Most of these film-forming compositions are especially adapted for use as components in hair spray compositions. To function effectively as such a component, a multiplicity of desirable effects must be derived therefrom. For instance, the ultimate composition must exhibit hair holding ability over a wide humidity range. Additionally, the film formed from the spray must be neither brittle or tacky. An even more important requirement is that the film must be easily removed from the hair by regular washing. Other, somewhat more minor efiects, are that the hair to which the spray is applied should retain a high degree of luster and brilliance and the applied spray, once applied, should not form dandruff-like scales when the hair is subjected to repeated combing.

All of these requirements for hair spray have been well recognized in the art and many of the existing commercial products for this purpose have been formulated so as to overcome at least the major problems of previous compositions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,084 discloses a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, an acrylate and an unsaturated acid as a hair fixative while U.S. Pat. No. 3,296,235 teaches the use of a copolymer of an N-alkyl acrylamide and acrylamide for the same purpose. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,871,161, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 3,188,275, vinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol copolymer, also represent additional systems which were formulated to overcome specific problems in hair setting compositions.

SUMMARY I have now discovered a unique and superior polymeric material which may be utilized as a component in hair spray compositions. My new tetrapolymer possesses all the requirements and solves all the problems set forth hereinabove in regard to what is expected of a commercially attractive and useful hair spray when combined with the other essential ingredients thereof. That is to say, a hair spray containing my novel tetrapolymer offers superior hair holding properties over a wide humidity range, the sprayed film being neither brittle nor tacky. The sprayed film is easily removed from the hair by normal shampooing or soap and water washing.

Additionally, my tetrapolymer offers the commercial formulator great latitude to vary the degree of neutralization so that the water-solubility can be optimized with regard to washability. These unique properties are achieved by a balanced blend of the polymer component monomers. To be more precise, the characteristics of my novel tetrapolymer are a direct function of a hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance and the number of carboxyl groups therein. They are further related to the carboxyl groups in such a fashion that the water solubility can be varied over a wide range according to the degree of neutralization which is controlled, as is known in the art, by the amount of solubilizing base added to the final formulation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As mentioned above, my novel polymeric material, useful as described above, is a tetrapolymer of l) N-tbutyl acrylamide or N-isopropyl acrylamide, (2) acrylamide or meth-acrylamide, (3) N-vinyl pyrrolidone and (4) acrylic or methacrylic acid.

The unique characteristics of this novel tetrapolym er are achieved by varying the amounts of each monomeric component over a relatively narrow and critical range. In this regard, the N-t-butyl acrylamide or N- isopropyl acrylamide should be present in an amount ranging from about -80percent, by weight, the acrylamide or methacrylamide in an amount ranging from about 5-15 percent, by weight, the N-vinyl pyrrolidone in an amount ranging from about 5-1 5 percent by weight, and the acrylic or methacrylic acid in an amount ranging from about 1-10 percent, by weight, said weights being based on the total weight of the polymer and totaling percent.

The method or manner by which the tetrapolymer is produced is not critical and therefore forms no part of the instant invention. Any known polymerization technique can be utilized i.e. the monomers may be polymerized via bulk, solution, emulsion, etc. processes without detracting from the essential characteristics of the resultant polymer.

Since vinyl polymerizations may be inhibited or retarded by oxygen, it is desirable to free the reactants from dissolved oxygen and to maintain an inert atmosphere throughout the course of the polymerization, conveniently by a continuous purge with an inert gas stream such as nitrogen or argon. The reaction can be initiated by any of a number of systems preferably with a ready source of free radicals such as a, a'-az0idiisobutyronitrile or organic peroxy compounds, for example, lauroyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxide or the various redox systems comprising, commonly, as the oxidizing component, the inorganic peroxides or persulfates and as the reducing component sulfur dioxide, a bisulfite, hydrosulfite or thiosulfate, or an organic hydroperoxide and activator. In some instances, a combination of systems will be most desirable. Furthermore, it is possible to initiate the polymerization thermally or by radiation over a wide range of energy levels. The reaction may be modified by the addition of chain transfer agents to control the molecular weight below its maximum value and by accelerators to increase the rate of reaction.

Where polymerization is carried out in solution any number of solvents alone or in combination will be found useful. The choice is not limited to solvents in which a homogeneous mixture can be maintained. An acetone-water-mixture in which all the reactants and the product are soluble is particularly advantageous and permits the employment of a simple inorganic redox system such as ammonium persulfate-sodium meta-bisulfite with ferrous sulfate as an accelerator. When the polymer is to be isolated by precipitation, great latitude in many respects is possible because of the purification which can be effected through the tion and leave no undesirable residues.

Because of the flexibility it permits with respect to other conditions, solution polymerization is the preferred method. The rate and extent of polymerization can be controlled through the choice of catalysts and additives and the amount and time intervals at which they are introduced, the level of monomer concentration, the temperature maintained and the solvent used. The preferred temperatures range from 40 to 80 C., particularly from 40 to 60 C.

It is preferred that the molecular weight of my tetrapolymer be controlled so as to give intrinsic viscosities of not higher than about 0.55 dl/g.

The tetrapolymer described in this disclosure and prepared from the four monomers in the proportions specified above is formulated into hair spray compositions as described in the above-cited U.S. Pats., hereby incorporated herein by reference. In general, the tetrapolymer may be formulated, in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 percent, by weight, into such an aerosol composition. The aerosol will contain ordinarily from about 35-65 percent by weight of propellant, more particularly from about 45-55 percent, and from about 35-65 percent by weight of a lower alcohol, more particularly from about 45-55 percent, the preferred alcohols being ethanol and isopropanol or mixtures of these with small amounts of n-propanol.

A neutralizing agent, in amounts sufficient to neutralize from 50-100 percent of the carboxyl groups present in the resin must be added to form the final composition. If desired, small amounts of other ingredients commonly added to hair sprays, such as plasticizers, perfumes, oils and lanolin etc. may also be incorporated into the composition. The film-forming tetra-polymer is, however, the essential part of the invention.

Halogenated propellants such as those described in the above-cited patents are preferred because of their non-flammable characteristics.

The film-forming resin composition of the present invention is also useful as a temporary coating in many other applications where it is desirable that the film be removed easily by washing. In this regard, the composition may be used in the automobile industry, glassware industry, etc. as temporary coatings. For some purposes the neutralizing agent may be used at a lower level or omitted entirely in order to increase the resistance of the film to water.

2-amino-2-methyl-1,3propanediol (AMPD) and 2- amino-Z-methyl-propanol (AMP) are preferred neutralizers. However, other neutralizers such as 2- aminobutanol may also be used.

The following examples are set forth for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention except as set forth in the appended claims. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1 33.3 Parts of N-tertiary butyl acrylamide in 300 parts of acetone, 2.7 parts of acrylic acid in 40 parts of acetone, 0.6 part of sodium hydroxide in 30 parts of water, 4.5 parts of acrylamide in 15 parts of water, 4.5 parts of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and 0. l00 part of sodium meta-bisulfite in 10 parts of water are charged to a suitable reaction vessel in the order given and with continuous stirring. The vessel is equipped with a variable speed stirrer, cooling condenser, nitrogen inlet tube and thermometer. The mixture is heated under continuous nitrogen gas purge and with stirring to 50 C. by means of a water bath. The following reagents are then added in the order given: 0.003 part of thioglycerol in L5 parts of acetone, 0.090 part of ammonium persulfate in 10 parts of water and .020 part of FeSO --7 H O in 20 parts of water. Additional thioglycerol, 0.045 part in 22.5 parts of acetone is introduced over the course of the next 2% hours. The temperature is maintained at 50 C., and the nitrogen purge and stirring are continued to termination at 3 hours. The reaction vessel is then opened to air. The polymerization mixture is filtered, acidified with 0.5N HCl in 20 percent excess and placed into a large volume of water with continuous agitation. The product is collected, washed with water and dried. A 74 percent yield of the tetrapolymer with a carboxyl content of 3.4 percent is obtained. The intrinsic viscosity (in absolute ethanol at 30 C.) is 0.47 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 2 The procedure of Example 1 is again followed except that an equivalent amount of N-isopropyl acrylamide is substituted for the N-t-butyl acrylamide therein. Similar results are achieved.

EXAMPLE 3 Following the procedure of Example 1 except that methacrylamide is substituted in equal amounts, for the acrylamide therein, a similar tetrapolymer is recovered.

EXAMPLE 4 The substitution of methacrylic acid for the acrylic acid in Example 1, in an equivalent amount, all other conditions remaining equal, results in a tetrapolymer of properties similar to that of said Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5 2.0 Percent of the tetrapolymer of Example 1 and 52.85 percent of ethanol are charged to a suitable mixing vessel. The contents are agitated until the tetrapolymer dissolves and 0.05 percent of aminomethylpropanediol, as neutralizer, and 0.1 percent of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600), as plasticizer, are then added with agitation. The resultant material is placed into an aerosol bomb which is then charged with 45.0 percent of a mixture of trichloromonofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane (60/40) as propellant. The resultant solution is sprayed onto hair. The hair is effectively held in its styled form and has a smooth appearance even at percent relative humidity. The hair is not tacky and no flaking results during combing. The hair may be completely cleaned by washing with dilute solutions of customary soaps and shampoos.

EXAMPLES 6-8 Substitution of each of the tetrapolymers of Examples 2-4, individually, for the tetrapolymer used in Example 5 results in the production of a clear hair spray which functions effectively at high humidity, is nontacky, non-flaky and is readily removed with a tap water solution of soap or shampoo. After combing hair sprayed therewith is soft with a good shine.

I claim:

1. A hair spray containing a neutralizer, a lower alcohol, a propellant and from 0.5 to 4 percent of a tetrapolymer comprising from about 70-80 percent of N-t-butyl acrylamide or N-isopropyl acryl from about 5-15 percent of acrylamide or methacrylamide, amide,/from about 5-15 percent of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and from about 1-10 percent of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, said percentages being by weight, based on the total weight of said tetrapolymer.

2. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid.

3. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and methacrylic acid.

4. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-isopropyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone'and acrylic acid.

5. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid.

* l II! UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 5,692,895 Dat September 9, 9

In ent Lucille Elma Palmer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract, insert the word "hair" before the word sprays Column 2, line 55, "polymerizations" should read polymerization Column 2, line +1, "azoidiiso-" should read azodiiso- Column 5, line 14, "acryl" should read acrylamide, Column 5, line 16, delete "amide,/".

Signed and sealed this 6th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEH,JR., ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM [JO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM DC G0376-P89 n use aovununn nm'rmc ornc: nu o-us-au 

2. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid.
 3. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and methacrylic acid.
 4. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-isopropyl acrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid.
 5. A hair spray according to claim 1 wherein said tetrapolymer comprises N-t-butyl acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid. 